Block manifold for large-sized thermal exchange batteries

ABSTRACT

The object of the present invention is a block manifold for large-sized thermal exchange batteries, comprising a one piece body having a union portion with a fluid piping to be connected to a thermal exchange battery, a plurality of branches to be connected to the pipes of the thermal exchange battery, and an intermediate distribution volume to place the union chamber in communication with the branches, wherein the intermediate distribution volume is coaxial to the union portion. The branches are divided into a first group that extends in the circle of the intermediate volume, on axes parallel to the axis of the union portion, and in a second group of branches that extends from one side of the intermediate volume, perpendicularly to the union portion. The second group of branches allows increasing the circulation of the thermal exchange battery fed by the manifold.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present finding relates to a block manifold to be applied tolarge-sized thermal exchange batteries, especially for convectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

In a former application by the same Applicant, a block manifold wasalready proposed, comprising a single piece body having on the one side,a union portion with a fluid piping to be connected to a thermalexchange battery, on the opposed side, two, three or more branches to beconnected to the pipes of the thermal exchange battery, and anintermediate distribution chamber to place said union chamber incommunication with said branches, wherein said intermediate chamber iscircular, all peripherally closed and coaxial with said union portion.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

Object of the present finding is that of realising and providing amanifold for thermal exchange batteries having a much higher number ofbranches, to be applied to large-sized batteries, without considerablyincreasing the dimensions and above all, keeping the construction,economic and functional advantages of the block manifold mentioned aboveunchanged, which can be summarised in the reduction of the use of rawmaterials, elimination of welding operations, with the consequentdrastic reduction of scrap and of production costs, and a reduction ofthe turbulences of the fluid and of the load losses of the poweredsystem.

Such object is achieved by a block manifold according to the followingclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example of embodiment of the finding is described hereinafter withreference to the attached indicative and non-limiting drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the manifold;

FIG. 2 shows a partial longitudinal section view of the manifold;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the manifold with watertight conical screws;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the manifold without the screws;

FIG. 5 shows a cross section view of the manifold;

FIG. 6 shows an axial section of an enlarged detail of the manifold at aconical screw;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of two manifolds applied to a thermal exchangebattery; and

FIG. 8 shows a top view of the two manifolds and battery of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The manifold under discussion consists of a one piece body 11 usuallymade of brass. The body is obtained by known moulding methods, them itis mechanically machined for the finishes according to the needs. Whenfinished, said body 11 exhibits a union portion 12 with an insidethreading, an intermediate distribution volume 13, a first group withfour branches 14 that extend from said intermediate volume 13 at theopposite side of the union portion 12, and a second group of four morebranches 15 that extend from a side of the intermediate volume 13.

In the practice, the union portion 12 is on a geometrical axis X, thebranches 14 of the first group are on axes Y parallel to axis X, whereasbranches 15 of the second group are on axes Z perpendicular to said axesX and Y. Moreover, the branches of the second group 15 are parallel andcoplanar to one another.

The intermediate volume 13 consists of a central cylindrical chamber 13′and of two side chambers 13″, cylindrical as well but with a smallerdiameter, diametrically opposed to the central chamber 13′ andinternally communicating with it.

In particular, the two central branches 14′ of the first group 14 extendat the bottom of the central chamber 13′, whereas the two outsidebranches 14″ partly intersect the side chambers 13″.

As regards the second group of branches 15, the two central branches 15′extend from the rim of the central chamber 13′, whereas the two outsidebranches 15″ extend from the rims of the respective side chambers 13″.

In the practice, the two side chambers 13″ serve as by-pass to feed thetwo outermost branches 14″ of the first group of branches 14 and, in thecase of use of the second group of branches 15, they act as feedingtanks.

It should be noted that the particular structure of the intermediatevolume 13 has become necessary to allow feeding eight branches stillremaining within the overall dimensions permitted to install theheaders.

FIG. 6 shows one of the screws 16 that allow the watertight seal of theheader. The peculiarity of these screws compared to those currently usedis that they work in traction rather than in compression, so as to standvery high tightening torques and thereby realise under-pressure circuitsof over 30 bar.

To this purpose, under the tightening nut 16′, each screw 16 exhibits atruncated cone portion 17 intended to rest on the top edge of the sidechambers 13″ and a threaded stem 18 extending from the bottom of saidtruncated cone portion 17 to screw into a corresponding threaded seat 19obtained in said side chambers 13″ of volume 13. Once the truncated coneportion 17 engages on the edge of the corresponding side chamber 13, afurther screwing of the screw exerts a traction between the two elementsthat allows obtaining a high watertight seal of the manifold.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show two manifolds 11 applied in known manner to a thermalexchange battery 20. As it can be seen, the first group of branches 14feeds a first portion of the battery, whereas the second group 15 feedsa second portion of the battery. The capacity of the latter is actuallydoubled.

Finally, it should be noted that even though the manifold distributionhas been doubled, welding operations for connecting the branches havebeen avoided, and the addition of raw materials has been restricted.After being moulded, the one piece body of the manifold only requires tobe drilled at the union chamber 12, and at the eight branches 14 and 15,and finally to be mechanically machined for finishing.

1. A block manifold for large-sided thermal exchange batteries,comprising a one piece body, having a union portion with a fluid pipingto be connected to a thermal exchange battery, a plurality of branchesto be connected to the pipes of the thermal exchange battery, and anintermediate distribution volume to place said union chamber incommunication with the branches, wherein the intermediate distributionvolume is coaxial to the union portion, wherein the branches are dividedinto a first group of branches extending from the intermediate volume atthe opposed side of the union portion and on axes parallel to the axisof the latter, and in a second group of branches extending from a sideof the intermediate volume, perpendicularly to the union portion and tothe first group of branches, the second group allowing increasing thecirculation of the thermal exchange battery fed by the manifold. 2.Block manifold according to claim 1, wherein the branches of the secondgroup are parallel and coplanar to one another.
 3. Block manifoldaccording to claim 1, wherein the intermediate volume consists of acentral cylindrical chamber and of two side chambers, cylindrical aswell but with a smaller diameter, diametrically opposed to the centralchamber and internally communicating with it.
 4. Block manifoldaccording to claim 2, wherein the central branches of the first groupextend from the bottom of the central chamber, whereas the two outsidebranches partly intersect the side chambers.
 5. Block manifold accordingto claim 2, wherein the central branches of the second group extend fromthe rim of the central chamber, whereas the two outside branches extendfrom the rims of the respective side chambers, the side chambers actingas feeding tanks for the outside branches.
 6. Block manifold accordingto claim 3, comprising two screws for watertight seal, wherein eachscrew exhibits, under the tightening screw, a truncated cone portionintended to engage on the top edge of a corresponding side chamber and athreaded stem extending from the bottom of the truncated cone portion toscrew into a corresponding threaded seat obtained into the sidechambers, the tightening of the screw causing a traction between thelatter and the manifold body.